The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-08
THE GEM OF A PALACE.
A Millionaires Luck Piece in Thou
sand Dollar CaSe-How 1t Made His
Fortune at the Faro Table.


Fortune at the Faro Table.
From the Neto York Mail and Express.
In that part of Fifth avenue where all the
houses are palaces there is one that attracts
general attention because it is more impos-
ing than those that surround it. 1t is owned
by millionaire from the Pacific slope, who,
after amassing fortune, came to this city
to enjoy the luxury which great wealth puts
at his disposal The house is furnished with
all the costly elegance which good taste and
an unlimited purse can secure. Beyond the
parlors, which are filled with rare objects of
art from all over the world, the rich man
has his room in which is a small table,
which stands next to the study. The most
noticeable thing in the room is
big rosewood desk. There is moth
thing on the table save an exquisitely carved
gold case with a glass lid. Inside the case,
resting on the soft velvet, lies a common
everyday quarter of dollar. A few days
ago, while a reporter was interviewing the
California millionaire ON question OF West
ern politics, he found it impossible to keep
his eyes from wandering to the 81 900 case
aud its 25c. piece. The millionaire, seeing
the reporters evident curiosity, said:
"You are surprised, no doubt, TO see that
25c piece in such a gorgeous case, but that
coin has history. There was a time when
it was the only piece of money had in the
world. look on it as a kind of nlascotte and
nothing would ever induce me to part with
it, Twice it has been out of my possession
since first had it, and each time some mis-
fortune has happened to me. Twill tell you
the story of my quarter, if you won't use
my name in repeating it.
The millionaire took the piece of money
from its satin-lined resting place and hand
ing it to the reporter, continued:
"You see that this coin is marked in such
a way that there is no installing it. (The
letters G. W, with a star before and after
them were deeply engraved in the centre
of the piece OF money! It was first given
me in San Francisco in a saloon. l gave the
barkeeper a S. gold piece, and among the
change | noticed this marked coin. picked
it out, and putting it in another pocket re-
marked TO my friends that | would keep it
as pocket-piece. was as poor as poverty
in those days, but, like every one else, /
played faro every time l had money enough
to buv a stack of chips. That night got
round u Vim Moons game, and, as usual,
before Quit was cleaned out and had not
a dollar left in the world The next morn
ing when | went to work was told that the
man who employed me had decided to move
to Sacramento and my valuable services
were no longer needed. | had had no break
fast, and began feeling in my empty pockets
for some stray coin to get cup OF coffee.
To my intense surprise l found that quarter.
[ then sat down and argued with myself
whether should spend my last cent TO get
something to eat or if / should go back to
the faro bank where / had lost my money
the night before and make final effort to
pull out square.
A FORTUNE FOR 25c.
"The gambling passion was strong in me
forty years ago, and / decided to take the
chances and bet my last quarter. Back to
the gambling-hell hurried. The game had
Just opened, and the first turn of the cards
was Just being made. Dollar chips were the
smallest ones in use then. So threw down
my quarter between the 9, and 8, and then
went over to the sideboard and poured my
self out glass of whisky, determined to
have o drink for my money any way. When
/ went back to the table | found two chips
in the place of my 25c. ! reached over to
pick them up, but before L could do so the
dealer turned the cards and again l won. /
played without thought of my empty
stomach for three hours, end quit with $i06
Before leaving / paid the dealer 81 for my
marked quarter. Then | went out and had
breakfast fit for the gods. Every day for
two weeks gambled, and every day won.
] kept that coin always with me, and soon /
had over 50, 900 in canvas bag One night,
as was leaving the game, 1 met an old
woman who begged from me money enough
TO get something to eat. | had, as usual,
been winning and was flushed with success.
To refuse woman money for food when
luck was all running my way seemed heart
less, so / reached down in my pocket and
gave her the first coin / met When |
reached home searched everywhere for my
luck piece, but it was gone. had given it
to the beggar woman. The next day / lost
heavily and determined Go play no more
until found my quarter. II seemed hope
less task to find one particular piece of
money, but never gave up hope and always
looked carefully at every piece of money
received in change. At last was Success